City leaders gave a presentation Wednesday evening at the Pontiac City Hall concerning tourism, economic development and upcoming events that will happen throughout the year. The public was invited to join in on the conversation and ask questions regarding the direction the city is taking.

Ellie Alexander, director of Pontiac Tourism, said that the number of group tours continues to rise yearly, from 60 in 2010, 120 in 2011 and 150 in 2012, with just as many, if not more, planned this year. She said that there are a lot of repeat tours, and those people are now called customers as opposed to tourists, because they return time after time, looking for new adventures.

Pontiac Mayor Bob Russell shared his experiences with meeting with tourists and some of the feedback he’s received. He said that many people have used the term “energy” when referring to the atmosphere of Pontiac.

He also touched on the fact that both tourism and economic development are growing in the city.

“We end up rubbing shoulders with people with a lot of money. People have taken such a liking to our town,” he said.

He continued telling people about potential investors and people interested in opening business.

“This is a big economic tool and if we can start businesses here from people from around the world, that’s a goal, but that’s not a part you often see,” Russell said.

Lori Fairfield, executive director of P.R.O.U.D., said that the next big thing for her organization is that Pontiac was chosen to host the Illinois Main Street State Conference in October, which will bring anywhere from 175 to 225 Main Street-minded people to the city for three days. She also said that there has been some more work done to get people interested in shopping local, which includes the second year of Downtown Diva Nights, which take place the third Thursday of each month from April to September. However, the kickoff Diva event, set for tonight, has been postponed a week due to the rain.

She also said there were a total of 13 different retail promotions for the year. This will mark Illinois Main Street’s 20th year, as well as P.R.O.U.D.’s 25th year.

Bob McKenzie, who represented Vermillion Players, told the crowd about how the organization had been putting together musical revues for big events in downtown Pontiac, and now that the repeat tourists and visitors have spread the word about those programs, they are requesting to see the shows and it brings more people to town. This year, he described the third revue to be done, which follows “Route 66” and “Sentimental Journey.” This show will feature music from the likes of Little Richard and Elvis and other artists up until the time of the Beatles.

Page 2 of 2 - Gary Bright, who represents the Cruise-In monthly events, said that his group has fliers ready to hand out and plenty of events planned for the summer.

There weren’t a lot of questions from the crowd, which was comprised of about 50 business owners and volunteers active in the community, but most stressed the importance of businesses being open on the weekends when there are big events. Alexander, Fairfield, as well as Joyce Cole, who manages the Old City Hall Shoppes which is open seven days a week, all agreed that during big tourists weekends, they see people peering into shop windows, wishing they could get in and buy things they saw on display. A suggestion was for owners, if interested, to be open while the tourists were there, which are planned in advance and printed in Pontiac Tourism’s calendar, which is e-mailed to all those who are signed up.